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ARMONK, N.Y.
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14 Jan 2010:
IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Karad Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd. (KUCB), Maharashtra's leading cooperative bank, for deploying a Scalable Modular Server Room (SMSR), a pre-designed and pre-fabricated data center that is cost, energy and space efficient and can be installed in a fraction of the time compared to traditional data center design and build methods. The deal will enable KUCB to save nearly 75% on resource allocation costs and allow staff to focus on core business activities.

As part of the three-year deal signed in October 2009, IBM will deploy the state-of-the-art data center which includes high-quality scalable and modular server rooms, as well as provide facility services, maintenance and technical services for both the data center and disaster recovery sites of KUCB.

IBM's SMSR is specifically targeted at mid-market clients and is shipped in a componentized form and requires less than a week to be made operational at the customers' premises. IBM's SMSR also mitigates risk associated with extensive engineering required for custom installations, is ideal for small data centers builds, and can be purchased in an off-the-shelf model.

KUCB selected IBM's SMSR after evaluating as many as nine vendors for building its data center in the traditional model. IBM's SMSR will enable KUCB to remain focused on their core business and reduce the need to assign critical staff members to projects for which they may have limited experience.

KUCB, established over 90 years ago, has been growing rapidly in Maharashtra and plans to establish branches in Gujarat and Karnataka. Speaking about the deal, Dr. Subhash S. Erram, Chairman, Karad Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd. said, "With the scale of our operations expanding, it is imperative for us to invest in technology solutions that are ready-to-deploy and continuously meet the unique requirements associated with our growth. IBM's unique value proposition through SMSR and their consultative approach was in synch with our requirements. We are confident that our partnership with a global IT major like IBM will provide us the impetus required for further growth."

Neeraj Sharma, Director - Integrated Technology Services, IBM India/South Asiasaid, "Our objective is to extend a compelling value proposition through our unique technology solutions around Scalable Modular Server Rooms (SMSR), part of our Money Saving Services portfolio, that is targeted towards helping our customers optimize operating consumption for energy, space and communications, and aid further growth. This is a strategic win since it is aligned to IBM's geo-expansion initiative and further strengthens our track record in the banking market in India."

About Karad Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd.

The Karad Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd., Karad [Scheduled Bank], established in 1917, provides services in semi-urban and rural areas in Western Maharashtra. It is the first Taluka-level bank to introduce the Core Banking Solution (CBS) and provide state-of the-art technology to its customers. The bank has always been on the front in modernizing its activities since introduction of computerization in 1987. The bank has a network of 48 branches spread over in various districts of Western Maharashtra with a business mix of about Rs. 1600 crores. The management comprising a team of professionals led the bank to achieve the growth parameters competitive to banking industry and the prudential norms of regulators. Subhashrao Joshi, Head of Urban Family has played a vital role in shaping the bank to be professionally competent and introducing skilled human resources. The bank has a team of four Chartered Accountants, ICWAs, MBAs and many more skilled personnel. The bank is also connected to social activities with its group of institutions including the co-operative department store, school for the differently-abled and the Dr. D.S. Erram Charitable Trust.